Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cmxc]

[Died By Bear]

There was still pissing/pooping going on in the streets in broad daylight out in the rural towns in 1990. I couldn't believe it because to me 1990 was such a modern time...I was just a kid and my dad was a USAF pilot at Osan. It was an interesting time.

[Smithington]

The Korea Times will print any crap. Koreans are still shockingly rude by any measure. Young and old alike.

[le-paul]

I have seen people shitting on the street at 4 times in the last 3 years. Once in Daegu and 3 times in Gyeongju.
The elevator in my gfs building was also regularly shat in until she moved - I believe it still happens.

Anyway, something that has surprised me a lot lately is Koreans perceptions of themselves. Ive been doing a little social experiment to make sure iM not making any presumptions. This is what I have done;

During a basic writing exercise for adults, I ask the students to list as many adjectives as they can. I offer them a simple subject to start 'your home' (I explain this can be your actual abode, country, whatever).

Without fail, every time, students mention Korean people and usually describe them with the following information 'Kind, generous, well mannered, open minded' ('kind' and 'well mannered' always come up). (They also always describe Korea as 'very clean' and 'safe', i.e. no crime, accidents or sexual assault etc.)

I next follow the lists up by writing examples on the board so we can expand on them - and I can tell you, there seems to be no doubt in these peoples minds that the way they have described Korean people, is 100 % accurate.

I have my own theories as to why this is, though Im not at the bottom of it yet. For example;

a/ It is what you are accustomed to, so therefor have no comparison.
b/ I am missing something - perhaps being too negative.
c/ They dont want to say anything negative in front of a foreigner.
d/ They spend their majority of time around people who display these characteristics, and therefore don't notice other behavoiur.
e/ They arent looking for it (whereas perhaps I am), so dont see it.

[Captain Corea]

We must chat with different ppl, le-paul. I can't imagine any of my students saying that there are no accidents in Korea. Hell, this year alone we covered the topic of safety in culture numerous times, the Sewol being a huge factor.

As well, I've never once found shit in or near my building. Come to think of it, never around any of my buildings. The only time I've seen it was on the sidewalk or near some grass - likely by a dog. But I very much expect this is neighborhood/city/area dependent.

When it comes to discussions on safety though, I find that myself and my students often approach it quite differently. When they say the roads are "safe", they are saying (upon further discussion) that the roads are safer than years past. When I say they are dangerous, I'm using my home city in Canada as a comparison.

[le-paul]

[Captain Corea]

[Steelrails]

Koreans are excessively considerate and generous to the point of neurosis and smothering if they feel affinity to you.

If youre just another rat out there in the rat race they can be shockingly indifferent.

I also feel that sometimes people feel overly entitled to kindness and politeness. Some if it is reasonable entitlement. Some of it comes across as spoiled.

[Captain Corea]

[Chaparrastique]

[le-paul]

[le-paul]

[Smithington]

[Steelrails]

[atwood]